Chlamydia Symptoms in Men: What to Look For — and When to Get Tested

You may feel completely fine — no discharge, no pain, no obvious signs that anything is wrong — and still find yourself wondering whether you could have chlamydia. Perhaps you have had a new sexual partner, unprotected sex, or simply realised it has been some time since your last sexual health check. It is a common situation, and a reasonable one to think about.

Chlamydia is one of the most frequently diagnosed sexually transmitted infections. It is caused by a bacterium and is easily transmitted through sexual contact. What makes it particularly significant is that the majority of infections in men produce no noticeable symptoms at all — meaning you can carry and transmit chlamydia without ever being aware of it.

This article explains the symptoms chlamydia may cause in men, why it often remains silent, and when laboratory testing may be appropriate. This is general health information — it is not a substitute for clinical assessment. Symptoms vary between individuals, and only laboratory testing can confirm infection status.

What Is Chlamydia and How Do Men Catch It?

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. It is one of the most common STIs in the UK and affects both men and women, though the way it presents — or does not present — can differ between sexes.

The bacterium is transmitted through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal and oral sex. Infection can occur even without ejaculation — contact with infected genital, rectal or throat tissue is sufficient for transmission. Sharing sex toys that have not been cleaned or covered with a new condom between uses is another potential route.

Crucially, a person does not need to have symptoms to transmit chlamydia. Because many infections are asymptomatic, individuals can unknowingly pass the infection to sexual partners, which is one of the key reasons regular screening is recommended after new exposures.

Why Chlamydia Often Has No Symptoms in Men

Asymptomatic chlamydia infection in men is common. The bacterium can infect the urethra, rectum or throat without triggering noticeable symptoms, particularly in the early stages. Many men carry the infection for weeks or months without realising anything is wrong.

This lack of symptoms creates a significant challenge. Without physical signs to prompt a visit for testing, infections can persist undetected — increasing the risk of complications and onward transmission. It is not uncommon for chlamydia to be identified only when a sexual partner receives a positive result and encourages testing.

This is precisely why waiting for symptoms before considering testing can be misleading. If you have had a recent risk exposure — even if you feel perfectly well — laboratory screening may be appropriate.

The Most Common Chlamydia Symptoms in Men (If They Occur)

When chlamydia does produce symptoms in men, they typically involve the urogenital tract. The severity and combination of symptoms can vary, and not all of the following will necessarily be present.

Can Chlamydia Affect the Throat or Rectum?

Yes. Chlamydia can infect sites beyond the genitals, depending on the type of sexual contact involved. These extra-genital infections are an important but often overlooked aspect of STI screening.

Pharyngeal (Throat) Chlamydia

Chlamydia can infect the throat following oral sex. Pharyngeal chlamydia is typically asymptomatic — most people experience no sore throat, no discomfort and no visible signs. When symptoms do occur, they may include a mild sore throat or irritation that is easily attributed to other causes.

Rectal Chlamydia

Rectal chlamydia can develop following anal sex. Symptoms, when present, may include rectal discomfort, discharge or bleeding — but many rectal infections are entirely silent. Without site-specific swab testing, these infections would go undetected.

Standard urine-based testing screens the genital tract only. If oral or anal sexual contact has occurred, site-specific swabs may be needed for a comprehensive assessment. A chlamydia and gonorrhoea test can screen for both infections across relevant body sites.

We provide confidential laboratory-based STI screening.

Chlamydia vs Gonorrhoea vs UTI: Why Symptoms Can Look Similar

One of the challenges with urogenital symptoms in men is that several conditions can produce very similar signs. Discharge, painful urination and urethral irritation are not unique to chlamydia — they can also indicate gonorrhoea, a urinary tract infection, or other urethral conditions.

Because these conditions overlap so significantly, it is not possible to determine the cause from symptoms alone. In some cases, co-infection with more than one STI is possible — for example, chlamydia and gonorrhoea can be present simultaneously. Accurate laboratory testing is the only reliable method to identify the specific infection and ensure appropriate follow-up.

When Should You Get Tested?

STI testing does not need to be prompted by symptoms. Because chlamydia is frequently asymptomatic, proactive screening after risk exposure is a practical and sensible approach.

Regular screening — even in the absence of symptoms — provides the most reliable way to identify infections early. Confidential testing is available at our private sexual health clinic London location.

Window Period: Can You Test Too Early?

Yes — testing too early after potential exposure may produce a false negative result. The window period is the time between exposure and the point at which a test can reliably detect infection.

For chlamydia, nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) can generally detect infection from around two weeks after exposure. Testing earlier than this may miss the infection if the bacterial load has not yet reached a detectable level.

If initial results are negative but concern remains — particularly if exposure was very recent — repeat testing after an appropriate interval may be recommended. This is also relevant for blood-tested infections such as HIV and syphilis, which have their own specific window periods.

If you are unsure about timing, the clinical team can advise on when to schedule testing based on your circumstances. A syphilis test may also be recommended as part of a comprehensive screening panel where appropriate.

What Happens If the Test Is Positive?

A positive chlamydia result can feel worrying, but it is important to understand that chlamydia is treatable. With appropriate prescribed medication arranged through the relevant medical services, the infection can be effectively cleared.

At our clinic, we provide screening and laboratory testing. If a test returns a positive result, we will explain the findings clearly and confidentially. Treatment is arranged separately — appropriate medical care can be coordinated to ensure the infection is addressed promptly.

Partner notification is typically advised following a positive chlamydia result, as sexual partners may also need testing. This is handled discreetly and with sensitivity.

Retesting after treatment may also be recommended to confirm the infection has cleared. When chlamydia is identified, comprehensive screening for other STIs — including an HIV test — may also be appropriate, as co-infection is possible.

How to Reduce Risk Going Forward

While no prevention method is completely risk-free, there are practical steps that can reduce the likelihood of chlamydia and other STI transmission.

• Use condoms consistently during vaginal, oral and anal sex — condoms significantly reduce the risk of chlamydia transmission
• Consider regular STI screening, particularly after new sexual partners
• Avoid sharing sex toys, or clean them thoroughly and use a new condom between uses
• If a partner has been diagnosed, both individuals should be tested before resuming sexual contact
• Open communication with sexual partners about testing and sexual health

These measures are practical, straightforward, and can form part of a routine approach to sexual health management. They are not guarantees, but they reduce risk meaningfully.